Indian Students’ Guide to One Year MBA in the UK: 2025

Pursuing a one year MBA is an ideal way to help accelerate your career, build a network of peers, and earn a well-recognised qualification in business and management—all in the span of 12 months. You have the opportunity to strengthen your managerial skills and sharpen your business knowledge as you study, helping you fast-track your career towards leadership roles in the business. 

If you study a one year MBA in the UK, you get the opportunity to make industry connections with companies based in the UK, network with peers from all over the world, and leverage your well-recognised qualification in advancing your career in the UK or your home country.

Benefits of Pursuing a One Year MBA in the UK

Choosing a business school in the UK for your one year MBA allows you to earn a higher business qualification with a short time commitment and a relatively smaller financial investment. Here are a few more benefits you can gain from a one year MBA in the UK: 

• Access to advanced knowledge 

  • You can sharpen your knowledge on high-level business concepts like operational management, business strategy, and organisational behaviour.

• Opportunity for intensive skill development 

  • The MBA course work is often based on workshops and projects that aim to  solve a real-world problem, giving you the chance to strengthen your professional and interpersonal skills.

• Short time commitment  

  • You have the chance to upskill without taking an extended break from your career.

• Relatively smaller cost 

  • The tuition fee and living expenses in the UK with a one year MBA is considerably lesser than the costs for other MBA programmes.

• Expert faculty

  • The MBA programmes are delivered by experienced academics and industry professionals, so you have the opportunity to learn from and connect with experts in the field.

• Global peer network

  • You can connect with peers and business leaders from various industries and backgrounds, allowing you to broaden your network of professional connections.

A one year MBA programme in the UK can have a significant impact towards advancing your career, but you need to make sure the one year MBA is the right fit for your work experience and goals. Let’s identify if the one year MBA would work for you at this point in your career.

One Year MBA Vs Two Year MBA: What Works for You? 

Regardless of the length of the programme, both one year MBA in the UK and the two year MBA help you accelerate your career, setting you up for success in leadership and management roles in the workplace. Your ideal choice depends on your goals, academic and professional background, and your capacity to follow the programme. Here’s a breakdown of a few factors you may need to consider when you are choosing an MBA programme to follow.

*Work experience, academic requirements, and tuition can vary depending on the university offering the MBA programme.

If the one year MBA in the UK aligns with your goals, researching universities offering the MBA will be your next step. We’ve listed the top universities in the UK offering one year MBA programmes so you can start your programme search right here. 

Top UK Universities for One Year MBA

The UK is an ideal study destination to pursue a one year MBA as you can access education from top ranking universities and start building a network of industry connections from companies based in the UK. Here are the top UK universities offering one year MBA programmes.

These universities offer few of the most sought-after one year MBA programmes in the UK, and factoring in your career goals, academic background, work experience, and preferred financial investment, you can decide which MBA programmes to apply to. 

If you need support with your application or if you’d like to explore more university options, you can reach out to SI-UK counsellors for guidance.

Entry Requirements for a One Year MBA in the UK

One year MBA programmes often have an intensive curriculum as the knowledge and skill development the MBA fosters need to be packed into one year of study. The entry requirements are set to identify the best-fit candidates with the capacity to follow teaching modules and training on high-level knowledge, so you need to ensure you meet all the eligibility criteria before you apply:

• Work experience: Depending on the university offering the one year MBA programme, the professional experience requirement may range from no work experience to 3 – 7 years of work experience. Some programmes indicate the type of work experience they expect as well, specifically looking for candidates with managerial experience or executive experience. 

• Bachelor’s qualification: You may need a minimum of a second class lower division honours degree or an international equivalent to qualify. Most universities accept students from any field of study, but some universities may prefer students with a business-related undergraduate degree.

• Standardised tests: Some programmes require you to complete standardised tests like GMAT or GRE that demonstrate your analytical thinking, verbal analysis, and decision-making skills. 

• Language proficiency: You need to show your English language proficiency through a proficiency test. Most universities accept an IELTS score of 6.0 – 7.0 or an equivalent.

You can access further information on entry requirements from our blog on UK MBA Entry Requirements and if you want to see which career pathways you can take after a one year MBA in the UK, we are covering that in the next section. 

Career Prospects after a One Year MBA in the UK

A successfully completed one year MBA can help you enter the workforce quickly as a well-rounded professional ready to take on advanced roles in the business—or launch your own business. Here are a few professional pathways you can pursue immediately after you complete your one year MBA.

*Salary information is sourced from SalaryExpert in December 2024.

Globally-renowned companies seek professional talent from top business schools in the UK, so once you successfully complete your one year MBA in the UK, you can access opportunities at top companies across the world. Let’s find out which companies recruit outstanding MBA graduates fresh out of graduate school. 

Top Recruiters for One Year MBA Graduates

Completing an intensive programme aimed at career growth can set you up for success in professional roles at top employers across diverse industries. Here’s a list of businesses that recruit one year MBA graduates and the industries they operate in.

As you near the completion of your one year MBA programme in the UK, it’s best to research your preferred employers and what their recruiters are looking for so you can improve the technical and personal skills aligned to your prospective job role.

Next, let’s go over the potential costs you have to bear as you study and live in the UK across the duration of your MBA programme. 

Cost of Pursuing a One Year MBA in the UK as an Indian Student

Generally, MBA programmes can be expensive—MBAs from top business schools are more so—and planning your finances ahead of time can help you anticipate and prepare the required funds. Here’s an overview of the expenses you need to consider while researching MBAs in the UK:

Tuition fees for a One Year MBA in the UK

A one year MBA in the UK can cost anywhere between 17 lakhs to 127 lakhs, depending on the university offering the programme. While MBAs typically don’t have additional costs, you might need to consider the costs associated with networking events and professional memberships if you are interested in participating. 

Pre-arrival fees for a One Year MBA in the UK

With any institution you apply to, there are the costs involved in the application and admission process. The expenses can vary for each student, but a general breakdown may look like this:

• Student visa fee: £490 

• UCAS application fee: £28.50 for 2025 entry 

• Language proficiency tests: Approx. £115 

• Initial deposit paid out to the university to confirm your place in the programme: Depends on the programme (Some universities do not charge this fee)

Cost of living in the UK 

The cost of living in the UK can vary depending on the region, so once you shortlist the MBA programme you wish to apply to, you can look into the cost of living in the area and plan your finances accordingly. Until then, here’s a general overview of your monthly living expenses:

These estimates can give you a general understanding of the costs you should consider, but the actual costs can be different as your living cost depends on the university you are applying for, the city you will be living in, and your lifestyle. 

You can get funding support for your education in the UK with grants, loans, and scholarships offered to Indian students. Let’s take a closer look at how you can support your education in the UK with a scholarship. 

Scholarships for Indian Students Applying for a One Year MBA in the UK

Many universities in the UK award MBA scholarships to outstanding students, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. Here are a few scholarships you may be eligible for as an Indian student:

You can explore more UK scholarships in our scholarship portal, and if you find one you may be eligible for, it’s worth applying as you can get significant financial support for your education in the UK. Next, we’ll learn how to apply to a one year MBA in the UK so you know how to prepare for your application.  

Applying for a One Year MBA in the UK

Depending on the university, one year MBA programmes in the UK may require you to apply directly through the university online portal or through UCAS. Here’s how you can get ready for both. 

Documents needed to apply

• Statement of purpose: An essay that highlights your academic background, and extracurricular or volunteer activities, and your goals

• Proof of language proficiency: Records of your English proficiency test scores

• Academic transcripts: Your bachelor’s degree transcripts and records of other academic achievements  

• Standardised test scores: Your scores in GMAT, GRE, or other tests specified by the university.

• Letter of recommendation: A letter of endorsement from a professional/ mentor/ supervisor recommending you for the programme. Some universities require two letters.

• One-Page CV: Your updated CV in a single page

• Proof of funds: Financial records to show your capacity to fund your education in the UK

Application process

• Choosing your preferred programme of study

  • As you explore your programme options, you can shortlist the universities that fit your requirements and goals: financial investment, faculty, course content, and industry connections. 

• Compiling your application

• • You need to start compiling your application well in advance, giving yourself time to collect and validate all the required information, review your application, and finetune it further. You can get free application support from the experts at SI-UK to put together a well-thought out application that can increase your chances of success.

• Submitting your application

• • Your application has to be submitted before the deadline set by your university. Most universities may have different rounds of applications, so you need to make sure you submit your application during the correct window of time as set by your university. 

• Applying for student visa

• You can apply for your student visa once you’ve received an offer and a CAS letter from the university. Here’s a checklist of all the documents you need to apply for your visa for the UK so you can prepare them in advance.

If you are a professional aiming to accelerate your career growth, a one year MBA in the UK can be the next step towards achieving your goal. Experts at SI-UK can support you with choosing and applying to an MBA programme that complements your professional experience and academic background, helping you access the best opportunity for your career advancement and personal growth.      

FAQs

Does the UK offer a 1 year MBA?

Yes, many business schools in the UK offer 1 year full-time MBA programmes. 

Can you do a 1 year MBA?

Yes. A 1 year MBA can help you develop and strengthen business knowledge and professional skills essential in the workplace.

Is MBA cheaper in the UK or USA?

UK MBAs often have a relatively low cost compared to MBAs offered in the USA. However, as MBA is one the most expensive graduate qualifications in the world, tuition fee can still be high. 

Is the one year MBA from the UK valid in India?

Yes, UK’s MBA qualifications are accepted in India, including the one year MBAs. 

What is the average 1st year cost for an MBA in the UK?

Average cost for the first year in a 2-year MBA ranges from 20 lakh-30 lakh INR. The average cost for one year in an MBA programme completed in 12-16 months is around 80 lakhs INR, with tuition fees starting at 17 lakhs INR. 

Is a 1 year MBA in the UK worth it?

Yes, a one year MBa in the UK is worth the effort, time commitment, and financial investment, as the qualification allows you to accelerate your career growth within a span of a year. 

Does the UK MBA require GMAT?

A few MBAs in the UK require GMAT, but most MBAs only require a good academic background, work experience (some programmes don’t require work experience), and English language proficiency.

What jobs can you get with an MBA in the UK?

You can qualify for a range of senior professional roles with an MBA in the UK, including: 

• Business consultant
• Business development manager
• Chief executive officer (CEO)
• Finance manager
• Marketing manager
• Operations manger
• Project manager
• Strategist

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